Hybrids Get Parking Preference

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Hybrids Get Parking Preference

Cities across the country are giving hybrid vehicles free or reduced parking, but SUV owners are crying foul.

San Antonio is the latest of many cities to give free parking to hybrid owners who sign up for a program, according to the Detroit News. Salt Lake City and Austin are unique in charging parking fees based on their emissions (a good idea that should be incorporated into sales tax).

Hybrids of the non-SUV type (as well as compacts) take up less space on the roads as well as on streets, so there is rationale behind the policy. What I'm really tired of is SUV owners who park in spots designed for compacts, making it impossible or uncomfortable for other drivers to park in adjacent spots. I've "accidentally" swung my door open a bit too hard a few times when parking next to these idiots. Unfortunately SUVs never get ticketed for this offense.

But a spokesman for the SUV Owners of America says the policy is discriminatory, and hurts lower income people who can't afford hybrids. That logic is wrong because even with the premium, most of the hybrids on the road cost less than a typical SUV, and shouldn't owners who are willing to pay extra to make the air cleaner, reduce oil dependency and the streets less crowded get some perk?

Buying either a small or large vehicle comes with tradeoffs. I can't haul big items from stores or give more than 4 people a ride at one time, and my cross country drive was somewhat inconvenient because of the small trunk. SUV owners get the space and ability to ride above us, so paying more at the pump and to park is a reasonable tradeoff.